EMPLOYERS are to be paid “golden hellos” of up to £2,500 for every person they recruit and train who has been out of work for more than six months, ministers were announcing today.

The move is part of a £500 million package to support the long-term unemployed as the toll of jobless continues to rise.

The money will also go towards additional training places to equip people with new skills, as well as “intensive” support from JobCentre Plus advisors.

The emergency measures were being unveiled at a jobs summit hosted by Prime Minister Gordon Brown this morning, bringing together major employers, unions and welfare experts.

The measures, announced by Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell, are the latest in a flurry of government initiatives to support those hit by the recession.

They are due to be rolled out in April, with the money to be spread over two years.

Plans are still being worked up to improve the flow of credit in the economy.

The Department of Business and Enterprise refused to comment on claims today that the scheme would be targeted at small businesses.

The heads of the UK’s biggest banks were yesterday invited to lunch at the Prime Minister’s country retreat, Chequers, fuelling expectations that further measures to get them lending are imminent. The latest aid plans are said to include official insurance for securitisations of mortgages and other loans.

Mr Brown will insist today that failing to improve skills now would harm Britain in the future.

“My message is simple – we won’t give up on you, but in turn you must not give up on work, on skills, and on training,” he will tell the employment conference he is hosting in London.